Watch CBS News

Pope Francis Meets Fidel Castro After Morning Mass

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

HAVANA (CBSMiami) – Pope Francis briefly met with former Cuban leader Fidel Castro on Sunday morning, a Vatican spokesman confirmed.

The meeting lasted around 40 minutes according to Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi.

Lombardi called the mood of the meeting "intimate and familial" as the two discussed the environment and "the situation of humanity today, the great problems."

Additionally, Pope Francis gave Castro a copy of his environmental encyclical, called Laudato Si.

Castro was also given books by Spanish Jesuit Seguando Llorente and Italian priest Alessandro Pronzato, as well as a book on humor and religion.

Francis was given a collection of interviews of Castro by the Brazilian priest Frei Betto, representing Castro's religious insights.

 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.